Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Owen cleared his throat tactfully, "So... Mr. Stoddard mentioned that everyone in the lab misses you and said you should swing by more often when you've got a minute." Roseanne blinked, "When did Mr. Stoddard say this?"

"About a week ago." Owen didn't give it much thought and just told it like it was.

"Oh-" Roseanne drew out her words, "So Mr. Stoddard asked you to pass the message a week ago, and you just got around to it today?"

And he thought he could avoid her?!

The more he spoke, the more he fumbled. With that, Owen beat a hasty retreat.

Watching his retreating figure, Roseanne couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The afternoon sun blazed warmly, the sky a clear blue with leisurely clouds drifting by.

Everything was simply beautiful.

With no classes that afternoon and no plans to hit the library-her schedule had been packed lately, and her apartment could use a tidy up-Roseanne decided to take advantage of the lovely weather. It was high time to do some laundry and maybe even enjoy preparing a scrumptious meal for herself. The thought alone brought a smile to her face.

However, her smile vanished the moment she spotted him at the school gates, holding a bouquet of flowers.

Murray, in his suit, already stood out like a sore thumb, but with a bouquet in hand, he was impossible to miss.

Passing teachers and students couldn't help but cast curious glances his way.

"Not him again?"

roses this time. That big a bunch must've cost a

jealous of the girl he's chasing. Handsome and romantic. If

be interested in you first, doesn't he?

Roseanne was truly exasperated.

she had made herself

Murray had indeed kept his distance, which made her think he had gotten the message.

step out, Roseanne turned on her heel and headed back towards the library. Cleaning her

good weather for the next half month. There was plenty of time for

knew it was futile

roses in his hand seemed to mock

he prepared to discard

to waste,

see Grace smiling

The next second-

"What's it to you?"

to throw away if he wished, not

smile faltered, seemingly caught

the picture of grace and poise yet, Murray barely

yet intrigued, Grace's interest

man was unlike any other she'd encountered Beyond his striking looks and mature aura, there was an unapproachable pride about him. Like the highest fruit on the

"True, it's none of my business, but then, my opinion being a waste isn't your concern either, is it?" Murray